Extreme Rules 2022

[PEN15v2]

WWE_Extreme_Rules_%282022%29.png?20220912000644.png






WWE product has been interesting enough that I'm motivated to create more threads for shows. Even if there's only one match booked so far (but I'll try to update as more get announced):

• Liv Morgan vs Ronda Rousey - Extreme Rules match - SmackDown Women's Championship
• Bayley vs Bianca - Ladder Match - Raw Womrn's Championship
• Riddle vs Rollins - Fight Pit
• Imperium vs Brawling Brutes - Good Ol' Fashioned Donnybrook Match
• Drew McIntyre vs Karrion Kross - Strap Match
• Edge vs Finn Balor - "I Quit Match"

[Powder]

My guess is that we are going to get the Brawling Brutes vs Imperium in an extreme rules match as well.

This would be perfect for Wargames, but both groups do not have 4 members, so they will have their match here. And prediction: Sheamus gets the pin over Kaiser.

[Oliver]

Two more matches added:

Bayley vs Bianca

Riddle vs Rollins in the Fight Pit.

I love the Fight Pit gimmick and hope they do it justice on the main roster. It doesn't feel like something that easily translates to a big arena from NXT, but we'll see. Presumably given all the ring set up needed that will have to be the main event.

[The Cook]

The two Fight Pit's they had in NXT were great, but were both during the pandemic with the first being in a completely empty arena I believe so how it translates to an 8kish live audience will be interesting. But I do believe Riddle & Rollins will be able to pull it off.

Based on the TV I'd assume we're also getting Gargano vs. Theory, Damage CTRL vs. Rodriguez & Shotzi with Asuka & Bliss potentially thrown in, Miz vs. Lumis and McIntyre vs. Kross.

[PEN15v2]

Presumably given all the ring set up needed that will have to be the main event.

I think it's going to be more like the current Steel Cage/HIAC/Chamber setup where it'll be built, raised to the roof, and dropped down to the floor for the match. I don't think the setup would require it to main event, but from the card so far, and the matches suggested by The Cook, I can't see any other match deserving the main event.

[The Cook]

I'd say the Fight Pit either main events or goes on first, if the logistics of the cage are an issue. But if it does go on first, then like Pen I really don't see anything else main eventing. If Bayley wins the title I suppose that could as it'd be a big deal but not sure I see that happening here, if at all actually.

[Oliver]

The only alternative - and I think it wouldn't happen - that I see is McIntyre vs Kross.

[Powder]

I would agree the the Fight Pit is first. It's unique and requires a more in-depth setup than a cage that just has to be lowered. And it starts the show off with a bang.

And either Drew/Kross or Liv/Rousey will main event.

[The Cook]

Don't know whether it'll matter or be taken into consideration but the last three shows have ended with heels winning, Reigns x2 and Austin Theory, and with Crown Jewel 99% likely to end with another Reigns victory I can definitely see the main event being a face victory. I'd say that rules out McIntyre/Kross but I didn't even consider Morgan/Rousey who don't seem to have easily definable alignments. So I can see Powder being right with that being the main event.

[PEN15v2]

• Imperium vs Brawling Brutes - Good Ol' Fashioned Donnybrook Match
• Drew McIntyre vs Karrion Kross - Strap Match
• Edge vs Finn Balor - "I Quit Match"

3 Matches added since I created this post, and the Raw women's is now a ladder match.

Coincidentally, in my WWF chronological viewings I'm getting to WM13 in 1997, and while the Submission Match is the true best match of the night, the 6 man Chicago Street Fight is underrated. These types of matches filled cards for a long time, so it's no surprise that they are less common these days. But a Texas Tornado or any form of No Holds Barred match involving teams ends up being so much fun, more often than not. It's also a perfect way to start a card (though a few matches fit that bill so far) and a smart way to give the Brutes a win without impeding the Imperium push.

The Strap Match is a gimmick I wish we saw more often, but this one does feel a little crowbarred into the feud. I'm sure it'll be solid, and I expect Drew to lose in a way that protects him.

I Quit - I don't think anyone was predicting this match, but I'm pretty pumped for it. This could end up main eventing the show, though I would still bet on the Fight Pit. I don't know how this one will go down (though I have a few ideas that involve Rey/Dom). Edge quitting seems unlikely, but it also seems like the perfect time to give Judgment Day a big win for momentum.

[Team Farrell]

I'm interested in the Fight Pit, but to be honest I'm so over hardcore gimmick matches, ladder matches, etc. in pro wrestling right now.

I know it'll probably be a hardcore match, but I'd really like to see the I Quit match be a fight and something a little closer to a submission match as opposed to who can do the most dastardly thing to make their opponent say I Quit. I assume it's going to end with mind games stuff, maybe Dom threatening Rey with a chainsaw unless Edge quits because they're always trying to get cute with finishes.

When pretty much every PPV has a No DQ or No Holds Barred match (which are all effectively treated as the same in WWE), an I Quit match either has to be overkill in terms of risks taken or weird "creative" finishes. Give me Dom busting Edge open behind the ref's back and Finn locking him in a new submission to get him to quit while blood pours from his head and Rey is incapacitated somehow.

When you have a MITB PPV, having other ladder matches throughout the year is pointless, so I'm now sold on the match. I'm sure the Good Ol' Fashioned Donnybrook will be fun, but again it's a hardcore match, and Liv Morgan in an Extreme Rules match couldn't make me less interested.

The Fight Pit and Strap matches will be different at least.

I don't think it helps that I see hardcore matches and ladder bullshit and people going through tables literally every week on AEW. I know that WWE shouldn't be booking to their programming, but man there's so much hardcore bullshit in mainstream wrestling these days that I just yawn at it.

[Powder]

Coach I 100% agree, but to be fair, and honest, Liv with the baseball bat made her actually interesting for the first time ever. I get your point overall and specifically towards her, but she is the 1 person on the entire card that NEEDS the gimmick to help.

She is a terrible wrestler, a terrible promo, does not have charisma, and well overly makeupped. She is a pure transitional champion, and the only way that she should win on Saturday is if someone interferes and attacks Rhonda. Liv needs to drop the title, and go away.

[Oliver]

I'm going to disagree on Liv. Not because I disagree with the point itself - she's not really done anything as champion, from what I've seen - but because I do think she should get the win over Ronda (again). The Smackdown roster is massively missing star power while Charlotte is away, and I think they should lean into that and look at other, non-Ronda, options rather than go for the 'star'.

[Team Farrell]

The Smackdown roster is massively missing star power while Charlotte is away, and I think they should lean into that and look at other, non-Ronda, options rather than go for the 'star'.

I agree with that 1000%. And if she's got a connection with the fans, she should be featured on the card. But, I mean, this is a SmackDown roster that features Raquel, Lacey Evans, Shayna, Sonya, even Natalya and Xia Li that at least come across like adult professional athletes that could hold their own in a fight against other adult professional athletes.

That wasn't even my issue with the match, though. It's more that I can almost guarantee that Liv vs Ronda will be a less over and less interesting version of the I Quit match or even the Donnybrook.

[PEN15v2]

While I like the idea of pushing new women on Smackdown, I just cannot defend the idea of Liv being the one to beat Ronda 3 times. Everyone that COACH listed is a better option.